Big news dey shake Saudi Pro League as two top clubs get last-minute boost ahead of weekend matches. For Al-Nassr side, all eyes dey on Cristiano Ronaldo wey don dey train after hamstring injury wey sideline am for almost one month.
Portuguese legend Ronaldo miss international friendlies for March after injury wey happen during Al-Nassr 1-3 loss to Al Fayha for February. But head coach Jorge Jesus don confirm say Ronaldo go dey available for matchday squad against Al Najma this Friday.
“We get training session today, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane dey expected to return,” Jesus tell reporters for pre-match briefing. “Mohamed Simakan injury na minor one, and he go train with us, while Kingsley Coman dey feel tired, and we go assess am for today training.”
Ronaldo dey target him first league championship for Saudi Arabia, and Al-Nassr need am to maintain top position. With eight matches remain, Al-Nassr dey lead Saudi Pro League table with 67 points from 26 games.
Meanwhile, for Al-Ittihad Jeddah side, two star players just land Jeddah Airport early Friday morning ahead of their match against Al-Hazm. Brazilian midfielder Fabinho and Albanian full-back Mario Mitaj arrive after finishing international duties with Brazil and Albania respectively during March break.
Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiah report say Fabinho and Mitaj na last Al-Ittihad players to reach Jeddah after international break. Three other players – Algerian midfielder Houssem Aouar, Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, and Portuguese winger Roger Fernandes – don already arrive since Thursday.
Decision on whether Fabinho and Mitaj go play against Al-Hazm go rest with Portuguese manager Sérgio Conceição, Al-Ittihad head coach. Match go hold at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium for 27th round of Roshen League.
Al-Ittihad, wey dem dey call “The Tigers,” dey sixth for table with 42 points – full 25 points behind Al-Nassr wey dey top. Team dey look for comeback for final stretch of season.
For Al-Nassr side, Sadio Mane also dey expected to return alongside Ronaldo after overcoming ankle injury wey affect am for Senegal international duties. Mane injury na similar one wey interfere with him international obligations.
Coach Jorge Jesus talk say Ronaldo could appear off the bench for Al-Nassr match against Al Najma. Return of Ronaldo and Mane na big boost for team wey dey aim for domestic success.
Al-Ittihad versus Al-Hazm match na crucial one as Al-Ittihad dey try close gap on teams wey dey above them for table. With star players just returning from international duty, team go need quick adjustment before match.
Saudi Pro League season dey enter final stages with plenty drama still dey play out. Top teams dey battle for position as championship race dey heat up.
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